SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE. Master of Arts in Landscape Architecture Studies DEGREE PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE,

PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE

Master of Arts in Landscape Architecture Studies

DEGREE PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

2015 - 2016

SEMESTER DATES

SEMESTER 1: Monday 28 September 2015 - Friday 29 January 2016

SEMESTER 2: Monday 1 February 2016 - Friday 17 June 2016

TERM DATES

Autumn: Monday 28 September 2015 - Friday 18 December 2015

Spring: Monday 11 January 2016 - Friday 11 March 2016

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Foreword

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all who are joining the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape to undertake the MA Landscape Architecture Studies.

The MA Landscape Architecture is a one-year taught masters-level programme which provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of landscape architecture and its interface with planning and architecture. Students will develop the capacity for critical thinking about the design of place and space and gain skills to enable them to deal with complex aspects of landscape design and planning in a creative and innovative way. Through studio based design projects, students will refine their design skills and develop the ability to critically compare and analyse landscape projects and styles.

The programme has been designed for those who wish to build upon a first qualification in landscape architecture or a cognate qualification in environmental art and design, garden design etc. It has been particularly designed with international students in mind, so it diverges from the (British) Landscape Institute’s recommendations for accredited degrees (there is, for example, less emphasis upon learning about plant materials, since most students are unlikely to practice landscape architecture in the United Kingdom) The programme, which includes lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials, alongside studio practice and critical reviews, is intended for those who wish to develop their critical thinking in tandem with their individual practice.

The concept of ‘place-making’ links the various teaching, research and consultancy activities carried out within the School. Closely engaged with our city and region, we also seek to engage with the rest of the country, with Europe and with other parts of the globe. The MA in Landscape Architecture Studies is delivered by a team which includes academics who are research-active and have produced significant numbers of publications - books, articles and papers – and have contributed to conferences all over the world. We also have significant links with practice, both locally and further afield and we seek to involve practitioners in the delivery of the programme.

This year you will be given space in the APL Graduate Studios in the Building Science Building, where you will meet students on other masters-level design programmes, such as the MA in Urban Design. Tutorial and critical reviews will, however, mostly take place in the neighbouring Claremont Tower, either in the Planning Studio on Level 3, or the Exhibition Area on Level 4.

Newcastle University is a world-class civic university and as a School we share this vision. We see ourselves as a civic school – with disciplines that are outward looking, engaged and seeking to make a difference locally, regionally and nationally. As students, you form the heart of the school – and the quality of your experience over the coming year will depend on you being active participants in the broader life of the school.

Welcome to Newcastle and success with your studies!

Dr Ian Thompson

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 The School’s ‘Postgraduate Common Handbook’ for generic issues related to academic work, assessment, management and tutorial arrangements; student comments, feedback and grievances; issues relating to progress, attendance and conduct; the facilities of the School and University; health and safety and welfare issues. This will be provided to you at the start of term but can also be accessed via http://www.ncl.ac.uk/apl/students/

 Module guides and module outline forms found at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/module-catalogue/

Module hand-outs, provided by the individual Module Leaders, will give further detail on the timing and nature of lectures and other learning activities, assessment questions/topics and detailed submission times/dates and reading lists. (Please also see http://www.ncl.ac.uk/module-catalogue/).

Please note that changes to the Programme structure and module descriptions, which can be made to improve the quality of the Programme, may take some time to be consistently reflected in all the above documentation. In such cases, please consult the module leader and/or the Degree Programme Director for the most updated version of the documentation.

2. UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT CHARTER

The University’s Student Charter is available on the internet at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/pre-arrival/regulations/charter.htm. It is also provided to all students as part of the Student Guide. In the Student Charter, the University undertakes to provide you with access to ‘high standards of teaching, support, advice and guidance’.

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Your handbook also contains a range of other valuable information, so you should read it thoroughly and retain a copy for future reference.

Your attention is also drawn to the Student Charter Supplementary Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Further information on this can be found at

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/pre-arrival/regulations/charter.htm. Summary of programme commitments

Average number of contact hours for this stage / programme:

Depends on the optional modules selected alongside the compulsory ones.

(note: students should check individual module information on Blackboard for the exact contact session length for each week - see

https://my.ncl.ac.uk/students/).

Mode of delivery: Lectures, seminars, workshops, field visits, design tutorials and other activities (students should check individual module information on Blackboard for the exact contact session format for each week).

Normal notice period for changes to the timetable, including rescheduled classes:

See PG Common Handbook.

Normal notice period for changes to the curriculum or assessment:

See PG Common Handbook.

Normal deadline for feedback on submitted work (coursework):

20 working days after the submission date, including non-term/semester periods but excluding closure periods and Bank Holidays. Students should check specific information provided for modules taken in other schools.

Normal deadline for feedback on examinations:

Whole class feedback will usually be provided within 20 days from the end of the exam period. When this date falls within the summer holiday, then exam feedback will be provided by the start of the next semester/term. Students should check specific information provided for modules taken in other schools.

Professional Accreditation: None.

Assessment methods and criteria: Essay, coursework, seminar, poster presentation, design crit/reviews, report,

dissertation and exams. These vary by module and should be checked via Blackboard or the module catalogue: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/module-catalogue/

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Academic guidance and support: Ian Thompson as Degree Programme Director [email protected]

3. PROGRAMME AIMS

Information on degree programmes is set out in programme specifications, approved by the University. Most of the relevant information from the specification is set out in this handbook. The full programme specification can be consulted on request.

The overall aims of the MA in Landscape Architecture Studies is to educate students in the theories, methods and practice of landscape architecture. The programme is therefore concerned with the student's development through:

1. The acquisition of knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and information relating to landscape architecture and its context.

2. The development of skills in literacy, design and communication.

3. The development of the skills and understanding required to make informed decisions and recommendations relating to future change in the environment.

4. The development of skills and experience in working individually and collectively to achieve specified tasks in the study, design and planning of landscapes, both urban and rural.

5. The development of skills and experience in independent learning and in the in-depth study of specialised areas of landscape architecture.

6. To provide a programme which satisfies the requirements of level 7 of the FHEQ and complies with University policies and procedures.

7. To equip graduates for advanced practice in landscape-related disciplines.

A. Learning Outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of landscape architecture and its interface with planning and architecture. Students will develop the capacity for critical thinking about the design of place and space and gain skills to enable them to deal with complex aspects of landscape design and planning in a creative and innovative way. Through studio based design projects, students will refine their design skills and develop the ability to critically compare and analyse landscape projects and styles in a range of country contexts. The programme outcomes have references to the benchmark statements for Planning, Architecture and Landscape. On completing the programme students should:

A1. Demonstrate understanding and critical thinking about landscape architecture as a form of action concerned with creating and managing space and place.

A2. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities of landscape issues and problems and be able to integrate knowledge and skills from different areas of the curriculum. A3. Have acquired knowledge and understanding of the way landscape has been

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A4. Have gained insight into the philosophies, ideologies and critical positions which underpin different approaches to landscape.

B. Intellectual Skills

On completing the programme students should be able to:

B1. Define and critically analyse problems effectively and appropriately drawing on current research and knowledge.

B2. Effectively collect, synthesise and utilise evidence and information.

B3. Synthesize effective design solutions to problems given in the form of design briefs. B4. Articulate reasoned arguments, drawing on a range of information sources.

B5. Develop research skills and experience in the context of the school’s research interests.

C. Practical Skills

C1. Respond creatively to complex landscape architectural briefs, generating well-considered design proposals that show understanding of context.

C2. Develop an ability to evaluate materials (both hard and soft), processes and

techniques that apply to complex landscape architectural projects and integrate these into feasible design proposals.

C3. Present work effectively in a variety of media. C4. Present design ideas orally.

D. Transferable Skills

D1. Effectively and fluently communicate information, ideas, principles and arguments. D2. Develop personal self-management skills such as setting priorities and time

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4. THE STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme is available for study in full-time module only.

Semester 1 (Sept-Jan) Semester 2 (Jan-June) Semester 3 (June-Sept) APL8005 Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio I (20) APL8006 Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio II (20) APL8007 Landscape Architecture Design Thesis (60) APL8000 Conceptualising Landscape (20) APL8008 History of Landscape Architecture (10) Option (10) Option (10) Option (10) Option (10) Option (10)

Note: Credits are indicated in brackets.

The period of study for full-time mode shall be 1 year starting in September. The programme comprises modules to a credit value of 180.

All candidates shall take the following compulsory modules:

Code Descriptive title Total

Credits Credits Sem 1 Credits Sem 2 Credits Sem 3 APL8005 Advanced Landscape Design 1 20 20

APL8006 Advanced Landscape Design 2 20 20

APL8000 Conceptualising Landscape 20 20

APL8008 History of the Designed Landscape 10 10

APL8007 MALAS Design Thesis 60 60

All candidates shall take further optional modules to a value of 50 credits from the following:

Code Descriptive title Total

Credits Credits Sem 1 Credits Sem 2 Credits Sem 3 TCP7024 Conservation and the City 10 10

TCP8910 Planning and Sustainability 20 20

TCP8010 Planning Theory 10 10

TCP8052 Urban Design Seminars 10 10

TCP8091 Principles and Practice of Urban Design

10 10

TCP8096 Issues in Landscape Planning 1 10 10

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TCP8912 Conservation and the City Project # 10 10 TCP8932 Planning for Climate Change 10 10

TCP8921 Globalisation and Social Justice 10 10 TCP8936 Planning and Regulatory

Frameworks

10 10

TCP8937 Spatial Strategies 20 20

* Candidates choosing this module must take TCP8096 in Semester 1 # Candidates choosing this module must take TCP7024 in Semester 1

With the approval of the Degree Programme Director and depending upon the academic background of the candidate, alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.

5. PROGRAMME CONTENT

The University’s official Module Outline Forms can be viewed through at the following link; http://www.ncl.ac.uk/module-catalogue/ or https://apps.ncl.ac.uk/mofs. The text below summarises some of the key aims of modules. Generally much more information on modules will be provided by module leaders upon the commencement of a module.

6. TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

Details on the specific teaching methods used in each module, plus the module assessment, can be found on the module outline forms and additional documentation provided by the module leader (module hand-outs, assessment brief etc.). Further details on submission, assessment and feedback policies can be found in the Postgraduate Common Handbook. Please also refer to your Programme Secretary should you have any further questions not answered in these handbooks.

6.1 LECTURES/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS

Modules involving the teaching of knowledge, concepts and skills in relation to specific subjects normally take the form of lectures and a wide variety of other learning activities. These include seminar discussions, workshops (short practical exercises designed to develop a particular skill) as well as self- directed learning through library studies, etc. Some modules, or parts of modules, will be taught to students from different disciplines. This is not only a way of producing teaching efficiencies but also an integral part of a modularised academic community and in some instances is deliberately used to foster inter-disciplinary learning.

6.2 STUDIO PRACTICE

Studio modules provide a framework for the development of self-directed, informed and critical practice. Students will be supported by studio-based tutorials and critical reviews.

6.3 DISSERTATION/DESIGN THESIS

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7. EXTERNAL EXAMINER

The External Examiner for the MA Landscape Architecture Studies programme is:

Tim Waterman from the Department of Architecture and Landscape, University of Greenwich.

In order to help ensure the quality of the education it provides and the maintenance of the standards of its awards, the University places significant reliance on its external examiners by:

 Requiring them to provide independent and impartial advice, as well as informative comment on the University’s standards and on student achievement in relation to those standards;

 Drawing upon their professional advice and expertise and giving full and serious consideration to their reports.

It is inappropriate for students to make direct contact with an External Examiner, in particular regarding their individual performance in assessments, and that alternative mechanisms are available such as an appeal or complaint. Please refer to the PG Common Handbook for more information.

Students can engage formally with the quality management process through which the University considers and responds to External Examiners through course representatives on Boards of Studies, Staff-Student Committees, and Faculty Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Committees.

You may be asked to meet with an External Examiner, such meetings are an opportunity for External Examiners to evaluate the student experience and to provide general feedback on the degree programme. Also, a selection of candidates may be required for viva voce examinations where the viva is a formal part of the assessment process.

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8. FURTHER KEY INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

For further key information on the following listed items please refer to the PGT Common Handbook which can be found on the school web-site at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/apl/students/ or you can obtain a hard copy from your Programme Secretary.

 University Timetables  Attendance

 Student Self Service Portal (S3P)

Student Support

 Personal Tutoring  Peer Mentoring

 Other Sources of Support in Your School  Student Services (King’s Gate)

 Student Advice Centre

What to do if things go wrong

 If You Are Ill

 Personal Extenuating Circumstances

 Change of Circumstances (Transfer, Suspend Studies or Withdraw)  Complaints and Appeals

Assessment and Feedback

 Coursework Submission

 Late Submission of Assessed Work  Examinations

 Feedback on Assignments  Marking Criteria

 Marking and Moderation Processes  How Assessment Affects Your Progress

 Assessment Irregularities and Disciplinary Procedures

Student Representation and Feedback Mechanisms

 Overview

 Module Evaluations  External Surveys

 Student Representation on Committees

Ensuring the Quality of Your Degree

 Mechanisms for Ensuring the Quality of Your Degree

Resources Tools for Study and Revision

 University Library

 Writing Development Centre

 INTO Newcastle In-Sessional English/Language Support  Maths-Aid

 Computing Facilities  Careers Service  Health and Safety

Additional University Contact Information

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APPENDIX A - Standards Template for MA Landscape Architecture Studies

Pass Merit Distinction

Knowledge and

understanding of:

A good knowledge and understanding of landscape concepts, theories and issues at an advanced level.

A very good knowledge and understanding of landscape concepts, theories and issues at an advanced level.

An excellent knowledge and understanding of landscape concepts, theories and issues at an advanced level. A good knowledge and

understanding of the concepts, methods, practices and techniques used to advance scholarship in landscape studies.

A very good knowledge and understanding of the concepts, methods, practices and techniques used to advance scholarship in landscape studies. An excellent knowledge and understanding of the concepts, methods, practices and techniques used to advance scholarship in landscape studies. A good knowledge and

understanding of how such concepts, methods, practices and techniques are applied to create and interpret knowledge in landscape studies.

A very good knowledge and understanding of how such concepts, methods. Practices and techniques are applied to create and interpret knowledge in landscape studies. An excellent knowledge and understanding of how such concepts,

methods, practices and techniques are applied to create and interpret knowledge in landscape studies. Skills and abilities: A good ability to critically evaluate current research, creative practice and advanced scholarship in landscape studies.

A very good ability to critically evaluate current research, creative practice and advanced scholarship landscape studies.

An excellent ability to critically evaluate current research, creative practice and advanced scholarship in landscape studies. A good ability to apply

the above in original ways in their own research, practice and advanced scholarship.

A very good ability to apply the above in original ways in their own research, practice and advanced

scholarship.

An excellent ability to apply the above in original ways in their own research, practice and advanced

scholarship. Key skills: On completing the programme students should be able to:

- Communicate ideas effectively and fluently, through appropriate media. - Demonstrate originality and creativity in response to complex briefs. - Set personal targets and manage time effectively.

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APPENDIX B - Description of Levels of Attainment: Postgraduate Programmes CLASS OR GRADE MARK RANGE EXAMS PROJECTS/ ESSAYS/ REPORTS

DISSERTATION DESIGN PROJECT

WORK

DISTINCTION 80+ Make exemplary

connections between the different areas of the curriculum with originality. Synthesise, integrate and critique a wide range of evidence and information sources. Demonstrates an exemplary understanding of the subject at a factual and conceptual level and includes original or imaginative insight and approaches. Exemplary work. Demonstrates original or imaginative insights. Potentially publishable material. Demonstrate originality and flair in the treatment and exposition of the subject matter. Exemplary work individually and / or in groups, demonstrating high levels of initiative and autonomy. DISTINCTION 79 70 Excellent, perceptive understanding of the issues plus a coherent well-read and stylish treatment, displaying some originality.

Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, coverage, internal consistency, organisation and style of presentation are excellent. Selection, interpretation, comparison, evaluation and integration of material from sources demonstrate ability to analyse critically and synthesise. Excellent work. Identification with academic research approach. Thorough understanding of the subject and its context with evidence of critical thought and analysis. Able to formulate innovative course of action as responses to a variety of design problems. Communicate effectively through graphic and/ or electronic means. MERIT 69 60 Very good, perceptive understanding of the issues plus a coherent well-read and stylish treatment though with less originality than a Distinction. Demonstrates a very good understanding of the main arguments, concepts and context. The coverage, internal structure, organisation and style are very good. Material from sources is carefully and critically selected. Thorough, well-researched, demonstrating a very good understanding of the subject and its context. Larks the sharpness of analytical edge found with Distinction.

Good/ very good and competent throughout, occasionally transcended. Confident resolution of the problems/issues. PASS 59 50

Good work but based on a narrower range of material when compared to a Merit. Presented in a good framework with some originality.

The main issues and concepts are understood and described. Knowledge, coverage, internal consistency, organisation and style are good.

Research basis is good but the topic has not been explored or lacks the degree of critical or original element evident in a Merit.

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FAIL 49 40 Unstructured and with increasing error component. Concepts are disordered or flawed. Insufficient evidence of understanding of main issues and concepts. Weaknesses in coverage of contents and sources, internal consistency and organisation of arguments. Use of sources inadequate. Material insufficient to sustain dissertation. Poorly structured or organised. No consistent thread of argument or original and critical insights. Shallow, flawed or incomplete work. FAIL 39 0 Fundamental errors of concept and scope or poor in knowledge, structure and expression. Very limited knowledge of the main issues and concepts. Very limited use of sources and problems of relevance. Errors of fact or interpretation.

Very limited source material,

inadequate structure of argument and little demonstration of critical analysis. Little evidence of basic competence or imagination or very incomplete. Shows little grasp of the subject.

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND LANDSCAPE. Master of Arts in Landscape Architecture Studies DEGREE PROGRAMME HANDBOOK